Former V8 supercar champion takes us through the Japanese brand?s road and racetrack weapons ahead of this weekend's Bathurst 12-hour.

Value

GT3: Built to the FIA GT3 regulations the racing version of the GT-R may start life with a road-car bodyshell but it is turned into a proper track machine. It's not cheap, even by racing standards, but the Nismo GT3 is a very high quality race car, even compared to the V8 Supercars we build at Nissan Motorsport. Everything, from the cooling systems to the cabin, is built to such a high standard.

GT-R: I think this is one of the best value-for-money supercars on the market. Starting at just over $170k it is capable of matching it with some of the best European supercars. But it also comes loaded with luxuries like keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone airconditioning, cruise control, leather upholstery, Bluetooth and an 11-speaker Bose sound system with a 9GB music harddrive.

Winner: Road car

Inside

Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 cabin. Photo: Supplied

GT3: This is one area where the two cars are very different. The race car only has the one seat and all sorts of buttons and dials to control its various systems. But because it is built with long-distance events it is actually very comfortable for a racecar. The seat itself is Nismo designed and made so it is tailored for the drivers. You sit very low and laid back, more like an open-wheel racer than the road car. It also has airconditioning built into the seat and it works extremely well, pumping cold air into your helmet and around your lower body. All the buttons look intimidating at first but once you understand them it is very easy to use.

GT-R: The road car obviously has more seats - four in total - and they are much more comfortable and trimmed in soft leather rather than suede like the GT3 car. The road car also gets a proper dashboard and centre console, which includes a large infotainment screen and a stereo, and there's even a cup holder. One of the biggest differences you can't see is all the sound insulation inside the road car that makes it much quieter than the racer.

Winner: Road car

Under the bonnet

Nissan GT-R interior Photo: Supplied

GT3: The engine really is a beautiful thing. It's based on the same 3.8-litre V6 twin-turbo as the road car but features bigger turbochargers ? the same turbos from the GT-R Nismo road car ? and other upgrades permitted within the rules. You can feel the turbos really pulling the car along. It's got more punch, but less power, than the V8 Supercar. The V8 acceleration is linear and you need to be smooth to prevent wheelspin. The GT3 has more grip, traction control and a real kick from the turbos. You put your foot down and it just goes. The gearshift feels like a nail-gun when it goes off and rams each gear in. Because the GT3 rules don't allow all-wheel drive the GT-R has been converted to rear-wheel drive only.

GT-R: Even though it has a little less power than the GT3 it is still a great engine. When you put your foot down it just brings a smile from ear-to-ear. There is so much torque it feels really responsive. Launch control is great. In the V8 Supercar, if we do everything done really well we can do a 3.6 second 0-100km/h. But the GT-R does it more consistently, you just get the settings right and press the accelerator. I love it ? it feels like a roll-a-coaster ride. It's impressive but when you hop in the GT3 car it is just even more impressive.

Winner: Race car

On the road

GT3: The Nismo GT-R is one of the best race cars I've ever driven. Where it really impresses is the way it handles at high speed. The GT3 rules allow it to have bigger tyres and a lot more aerodynamic downforce than a V8 Supercar so it has awesome cornering capability. Driving around at high speed you can feel it glued to the track and feel the aero working, pushing it down onto the track.

GT-R: Even though I'm lucky enough to race cars for a living I still get a thrill out of driving a great road car like the GT-R. It's designed so you can live with it on the road, even take it to the shops, but is equally at home on the track. The usability of it is very impressive, it's really a 'liveable' supercar.

Winner: Race car

Safety

Rick Kelly with the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3. Photo: Supplied

GT3: It may not have any airbags but the race car is extremely safe. There is a rollcage built into the chassis that protects the driver in the event of an accident. The seat is designed to keep the driver in position and is equipped with a multi-point racing harness. Because GT3 racing caters to amateur drivers, as well as pros, there is a multi-stage traction control system and ABS too.

GT-R: Unlike the GT3 car the road car comes complete with airbag protection - there are front, side and curtain 'bags to protect all occupants in an accident. Electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution are all standard too.

Winner: Draw

Verdict

GT3: It's an incredible car you'd love to have parked in your raceshop. The craftsmanship is very impressive. It is a showroom piece you put on a racetrack.

GT-R: The GT-R is the car you'd love to have parked in your garage. It is a great supercar that is both fun to drive and easy to live with.

Winner: Both ? I can't decide!

Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3

Price: $585,000 plus spare parts package

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol

Power: 405kW at 6500rpm (FIA GT3 Balance of Performance controlled)

Torque: 637Nm at 5000rpm (FIA GT3 Balance of Performance controlled)

Transmission: Six-speed sequential paddle shift, rear-wheel drive

Fuel use: 57L/100km

Nissan GT-R Premium Edition

Price: $172,000 plus on-road costs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol

Power: 404kW at 6400rpm

Torque: 628Nm at 3200-5800rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic, four-wheel drive

Fuel use: 11.7L/100km

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The size of your tyre is located on the sidewall of your tyre.It will be similar to the sample below.